AVERAGE HEIGHTS. 



351 



f >nn, to the Sierra Parime ; the latter, to the Brazil chains, 

 running also from S.W. to N.E. The culminant points of 

 those two systems rise to 1138 and 1010 toises. Such are 

 the elements of this curve, of which the convex summit is in 

 the littoral chain of Venezuela : 



AMERICA, EAST OF THE ANDES. 



I have preferred indicating in this table the culminant 

 points of each system, to the mean height of the line of 

 elevation; the culminant points are the results of direct 

 measures, while the mean height is an abstract idea some- 

 what vague, particularly when there is only one group of 

 mountains, as in Brazil, Parime, and the West Indies, and 

 not a continued chain. Although it cannot be doubted 

 that, among the five systems of mountains on the east of 

 the Andes, of which one only belongs to the southern 

 hemisphere, the littoral chain of Venezuela is the most 

 elevated (having a culminant point of 1350 toises, and a 

 mean height from the line 01 elevation of 750), we yet 

 recognise with surprise, that the mountains of eastern 

 America (whether continental or insular) differ very incon- 

 siderably in their height above the level of the sea. The 



